Senior Citizens and their Mental Health
By Riya Gulati, Guest Blogger
No one really wants to grow old, but growing up gracefully is an art which only few people practice. Every age has its own beauty, glory and wisdom. It’s a misconception that one becomes (physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually) weak during old age. One can truly defeat the age by keeping the childish attitude alive as it helps in the healing process and enjoying little things in life. The fountain of youth can be perennially present in one’s mind, soul, attitude, creative skills, emotions, innocence, energy, talent, enthusiasm, passion, pleasure, excitement, love and laughter. Practicing the ten rules of Ikigai can help in living a fulfilling life. The Japanese people live a longer and happier life because they stay active and don’t retire; leave urgency behind and adopt a slower pace of life; only eat until they are 80% full; surround themselves with good people; get in shape via daily and gentle exercise; smile often and acknowledge the people around them; reconnect with nature; are grateful to everything that brightens up the day and makes them feel alive; cherish and live in the present moment and follow their passion. It is good to be selfless, but at the same time taking care and taking out time for oneself is pivotal. You are capable of taking care of someone else only if you are well so make sure to be your best friend and carer. The persisting lifestyle has not only reduced the number of years from one age, but has also introduced new varieties of mental disorders. Mental health issues are not only restricted to old people, but are also prevalent in youngsters and middle age groups as well (depending upon their life scenario). Being gentle and kind to the person facing a mental issue is what we need to learn. Also, never miss out the chance to help such people as you are making a difference in someone’s life.
The good thing about mental health issue is that it can be improved taking into consideration the following pointers:
Adopt a new hobby: Getting busy in life avert the eruptions of negative thoughts. Try to get engaged in solo or group activities. There is no limit for any age to explore new things. Had age got some restrictions, India would not have been able to see the dawn of development under the regime of Hon’ble Narendra Modi. Do the best you can until you know better and when you know better, do better.
Spend Time with your loved ones: Life becomes miraculous when you have got your loved ones surrounding you. The purpose of earning a living is to give a better life to family members and earn bread & butter for oneself, so make sure to respect both!
Less Screen Time: Reducing screen time frees up more time to live in the real world and enjoy the beauty that is happening all around us. It also helps with better focus and brain function. Prolonged screen time impedes sleep, decreases vision, and leads to physical, emotional and mental health problems.
Laugh out Loud: In the early morning, you might have heard the laughter of people. Oh yes, laughing is a good exercise. Unfortunately, the persisting lifestyle has made us practice artificial laughter. Try to be light and spread happiness all around. Watch funny shows, laugh at your problems and yourself, befriend a funny person, spend time with kids/pets, play fun games, do more what makes you laugh, try laughter meditation and think funny 😀
Love without limits and learn to be detached: You usually have control over yourself and your emotions (not on others). So, love selflessly without any expectations in return. In detachment lies the wisdom of uncertainty. Detachment is not that you should own nothing, but that nothing should own you. The root of suffering is attachment so allow others to be who they are. Don’t force situations as solutions will emerge. In attachment, man loses himself wherein he is no more a master of himself, but a slave.
Relish every moment and enjoy deeply: Your life is simply a collection of all your thoughts and actions. So, make sure to steer it in the right direction. Be joyful of little things in life. One day, everything will make sense so for now, smile through the tears, laugh at the confusion, and remind yourself that everything will be alright. Sing, dance & play hard. Have a child-like attitude of enjoying life to the fullest with utmost innocence.
Meditate sincerely & have faith: Meditation helps in averting the distractions and reinforce the focus. Brilliant things take place in calm minds. Meditation leads to a life of serenity. Quiet the mind which is wandering in wrong direction by breathing exercises, bird/sky/star watching, spend time in nature, go for a walk, listen to music, read, write out your feelings, watch something good, help someone, relax, hang out, get creative, manage household chores, practice mindfulness, colour, count, recite and run, practice acceptance, and most importantly pray.
Help endlessly: Practicing kindness really makes you the most beautiful and adorable person in the world. Helping another struggling soul sends out the message that love can be found in the world. Also, you are always remembered by your deeds. Unlike beauty, good nature/soul is imperishable. People will always remember you for how you made them feel. So, make sure to leave a lovely memory for them by practicing good deeds. Also, you radiate differently when you help others. Small gestures, compliments, giving a helping hand, lifting others, making someone smile, sharing your blessings and giving back to the society can make a difference not only in the lives of others, but also in your life. Henceforth, be rich in heart and generous while helping others.
Ignore quickly and forgive more: Both candle and incense stick burns, but while burning, the candle melts down quickly, whereas the incense stick also gets finished, but it spreads its fragrance all around. The incense sticks create a refreshing, alluring and aromatic environment. So, if any person has done wrong with you- ignore that quickly, forgive easily and move on. Don’t let the wrong of others occupy or burden you. Create and spread your own fragrance by imbibing a big heart.
Forget the past, live in the present and worry less about the future: The only thing you have now in your hand is your present, so forget the past (bad) memories and worry less about the future. The past is a place to learn from, not to live in and the best way to forget the past is to build new memories. The art of life is to live in the present moment. It is fine to visit the past to cherish good memories and think about the future for planning purposes (just avoid overthinking).
Stay strong and cheer out for yourself: You need to stay strong as things will get better during the due course. Nothing is permanent in life. If things are going well- enjoy it as it will not last forever. If things are going unwell, don’t worry as it can’t last long either. God has faith in your abilities that is why he has given the problem to someone who has the capability to overcome such difficulties. After every dark night, comes a bright day. Be your own light during the time of darkness.
Be happy and think positively: Children are usually happy as they don’t have clutter in their minds that emits negative thoughts. They go with the flow as these innocent hearts know the fact everything will be alright. Try to be so happy that when someone sees you, they too become happy. Adopt a positive mental attitude as it will help you in overcoming the challenges in your life. Life is simple, don’t make it complicated. Spread your radiance and happiness all around.
About the Author
Name: Riya Gulati
Qualifications: LL.M (Intellectual Property & Information Technology) from University College Dublin (Ireland) & BA.LLB from Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed University (India)
